Figure caption,

West Ham beat Liverpool to increase gap from bottom of the table

At a glance

  • West Ham take early lead through Cornelia Kapocs own goal

  • Vivane Asseyi misses chances to increase Hammers' lead

  • Reds unable to find equaliser against resolute West Ham

  • PLAYER RATER

ByMarissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham moved further away from relegation danger with a crucial win over Liverpool in the Women's Super League.

The result means West Ham have moved one point behind Liverpool and seven points clear of bottom club Leicester, who have a game in hand.

The Hammers took the lead after six minutes when Viviane Asseyi's corner was poked into her own net by the unfortunate Cornelia Kapocs.

Asseyi had a shot blocked and another one saved from Liverpool goalkeeper Jennifer Falk as West Ham made a bright start.

Reds captain Grace Fisk headed towards goal from a corner but Estelle Cascarino produced a vital headed clearance off the line.

Cascarino was in the right place once more to clear Alice Bergstrom's header off the line as Rita Guarino's side held firm.

Anna Josendal's curling strike just whistled past the post with Liverpool unable to find an equaliser.

West Ham analysis: Hammers seal crucial win

West Ham recorded their first WSL win in four games with a brilliant defensive performance against Liverpool.

Gareth Taylor's side dominated possession and had 11 shots on goal, but only three were on target and despite their best efforts they were unable to break down West Ham's defence.

In 10 WSL games, Liverpool have failed to win when conceding the opening goal and that run continued.

Kapocs attempted to make up for her own goal, but she was unable to get a vital touch on Ceri Holland's teasing cross into the box.

The Hammers produced 30 clearances and won 57% of their aerial duels as the whole team put in a display worthy of the three points.

It is just the second clean sheet they have kept in the league this season and came at a vital time as they eased fears of relegation.

What's next for these teams?

Liverpool travel to league leaders Manchester City on Sunday, 3 May (12:00 BST), while West Ham return to WSL action on Monday, 4 May away at Aston Villa (13:00 BST).

Player of the match

Number: 15 Y. Tennebø
Average rating 8.00
Number: 17 J. Clark
Average Rating: 6.80
Number: 18 C. Holland
Average Rating: 6.43
Number: 29 Alejandra Bernabé
Average Rating: 6.17
Number: 27 A. Csillag
Average Rating: 6.17
Number: 4 G. Fisk
Average Rating: 5.86
Number: 8 F. Nagano
Average Rating: 5.75
Number: 25 A. Bergström
Average Rating: 5.71
Number: 5 R. Shimizu
Average Rating: 5.20
Number: 19 K. MacLean
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 21 A. Jøsendal
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 28 J. Falk
Average Rating: 4.60
Number: 7 C. Kapocs
Average Rating: 4.60
Number: 13 M. Enderby
Average Rating: 4.57
Number: 6 D. O'Sullivan
Average Rating: 4.50
Number: 11 B. Olsson
Average Rating: 4.00

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone